Buckeye Trails Biggest Day Hike set for June 4

The Buckeye Trail is a resource for families to get outdoors and get exercise, fresh air and a close look at the state’s natural resources. June 4 is National Trails Day and also is the date of the Buckeye Trails Biggest Day Hike, which will bring together hikers, bikers, horseback riders and even kayakers in an effort to have people in place on over 1,400 miles of the trail on the same day.

The day is free to anyone who would like to participate, but people must register their intended trail location at www.buckeyetrail.org.

Brandon Bates, a trustee with Buckeye Trails Association, said the goal of the all-day event is to get as many people on the Buckeye Trail as possible for the biggest collective total so they can count the maximum number of miles. People can sign up for any section of the trail they want anywhere in the state and go as far or as short a distance as they like.

The hike began several years ago as a much smaller endeavor focused on a loop of trail in the northeast section of the state. This year marks the third for the Biggest Day Hike, covering the entirety of the trail.

“Last year we came close to covering the whole thing,” Bates said. “We had 230 participants who collectively covered 1,254 miles. The association is hoping to cover all 1,450 miles this time, so it will in reality be the biggest hike.”

People can walk the trails, ride bicycles or ride a horse where horseback riding is permitted. Randall Roberts, organizer of the Biggest Hike, said even kayaking is encouraged where waterways run parallel to the trails.

“And people have done this. How you cover the trail is entirely up to you as a participant,” Roberts said.

The way participants handle logistics also is up to them. Roberts said, “Choose the section of trail you’d most like to cover. Some people go back to their favorite spot; others like to explore new areas of the state or try a new section of trail they can return to as a starting point later.”

Participants should bring any snacks, plenty of water and whatever else they will need to complete their planned section of trail.

The trails vary in surfaces. “Some are gravel,” Roberts said. “Others are paved. There are wooded trails, some dirt trails, farm roads and country roads with very little traffic. It’s something you can do to participate in something larger than yourself. It’s all about gathering people to explore the trails and natural resources of Ohio. We hope people will try the trails and find it’s something their family enjoys and returns to many times.”

After the Biggest Hike, the trails are open for exploration the rest of the summer. “The trails are pretty much never closed,” Roberts said. “Each section is around 50-60 miles long. Many people start with the goal of doing as much of a single section as possible in a day, then return to continue to the next section later.”

Buckeye Trails nearly circle the state, from the northwest to the Youngstown area, down to Steubenville and across to Cincinnati before winding their way north again to Toledo.

Participants can share photos from the Biggest Day Hike using the hashtags #buckeyetrailassociation, #buckeyetrail and #biggestdayhike.

Email bigdayhike@buckeyetrail.org.